Clippers beat Vipers at home, grab 20th win of the season

Ontario, CA—The Agua Caliente Clippers used a balanced attack and 38 percent shooting from the three-point line to take down the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at home Thursday night, 113-105. With the win, the Clippers picked up their 20th victory of the season and are 2-1 over the Vipers.

Rio Grande Valley came out strong, leading by eight points halfway through the first quarter. The Clippers responded with five unanswered points out of a timeout and trailed by three at the end of the first frame. In addition to a 49 percent team shooting effort from the field in the first half, C.J. Williams scored nine points and Tyler Roberson had eight in the second quarter to give the Clippers a seven-point lead at halftime.

The Vipers scored five straight points out of the break to set the tone in the third quarter and eventually led by as many 13, but Tim Quarterman hit a three sparked a 7-0 Clippers run that would cut the Vipers’ lead to eight heading into the final quarter. Rio Grande Valley extended their lead out 13 once again in the fourth, until Tyrone Wallace and Ike Iroegbu got to work. Wallace scored on a lay-in and Roberson connected on two free throws, then Wallace proceeded to score seven points in just over a minute to cut the Rio Grande Valley lead to five. LaDontae Henton hit a free throw resulting from a technical foul, then was fouled on a three-point attempt and connected on all three free throws to cut the deficit to just one. Iroegbu went 6-for-8 from the free throw line down the stretch to help the Clippers outscore the Vipers 19-10 in the last six minutes of play.

Five Clippers scored in double-figures, with LaDontae Henton leading the way with 21 points, including a 3-for-6 effort from beyond the arc. Wallace had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, including 13 fourth quarter points. Ike Iroegbu had 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the free throw line and 50 percent shooting from the field and was 6-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minutes of play. Roberson finished with 13 points, while Dakarai Allen recorded ten points and Skylar Spencer led the rebounding effort with 11 boards. As a team, the Clippers shot 83 percent from the free throw line.

The Clippers head to El Segundo to take on the South Bay Lakers next Thursday in a 7 p.m. tip (PST). Fans can stay up-to-date on team news by following the team on Twitter (@ACClippers) or visiting ACClippers.com. Full season membership, group, and single tickets for the 2017-18 Agua Caliente Clippers season are on sale now. For all ticket information and full season schedule, visit ACClippers.com.